Folding chair



May 27, 1930.

D. SCHERMERHORN FOLDING CHAIR Filed Feb. ll, 1928 WMM/) ATToR HEYS.

Patented May 27, 1930 GEORGE D. SCHERMERHORN', 0F READIN'G, MICHIGAN *FOLDING CHAIR Application ledvFebruary 11, 1928. Serial No. 253,557.

My invention relates to an improved folding chair. The object is to provide a durable, compact, inexpensive,` sturdy folding chair of neat and attractive design which is particularly adapted to be made out of metal. The seat and legs of the chair fold substantially within the plane of the uprights so that the chairs may be conveniently stored within a minimum space. The construction is such that the chair may be folded and unfolded quietly and without the metallic tinny noise that commonly accompanies the operation of folding metal chairs.

An object is to provide a chair of this description wherein the seat is mounted between the uprights upon eccentric pivotal supports to fold substantially Within the plane of the uprights but offset the pivotal axis of its supports, and wherein legs are pivoted between the uprights and coupled with the seat to fold therewith substantially into the plane of the uprights within the space provided by the eccentric mounting of the seat.

A further object resides in the provision in a folding chair of this character of tubular legs pivoted within the uprights and having upper portions ofeduoed diameter wherein extensions are telescopically arranged and pivotally connected with the seat.

A meritorious feature resides in providing suitable vmechanism for automatically locking the legs and seat substantially within the plane of the uprights when the chair is in the folded relationship and, furthermore, in providing a novel arrangement of telescoping leg extensions associated with the legs and seat.

In thedrawing :l

. Fig.vl is a side elevation of a chair in the unfolded position embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the chair shown in Fig. 1 showing such chair in the folded relation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is an enlarged 45 fragmentary elevation partly broken away of the portion ofthe locking mechanism.

Fig. 5 is ahorizontal sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3 showing the seating structure only in a solid line.

My chair comprises a pair of spaced apart uprights' 10 here shown as being of tubular metal structure and generally U-shaped form. A seat-supporting rod 12 extends between the uprights and isjournaled therein. 5;, This rod has an intermediate portion 14 offset from its pivotal axis.l A seat structure 16 is secured to this offset portion 14 to pivot therewith.

I have here shown the seat as also formed 6g of metal and as having turned-over margins 18 through which the supporting rod extends and as being provided with a cushion or pad 20. The seat has a second transversely extending rod 22 which serves to pivot the up- 55 per extremities of the legs in the manner hereinafter described.

A pair of legs 24, braced apart by a transverse member 26, are pivotally supported between the uprights upon a rod 28 which 70 bridges the gap between the uprights. These legs are shown las being formed of tubular metal. Each leg at a point beyond the rod 28 is tapered as at 30 to provide an upper end portion 32 of reduced diameter. An exten- 75 sion 34 is telescoped within this reduced upper extremity of the leg and is pivotally mounted upon the rod 22 of the seat.

The seat is adapted to be folded or unfolded pivoting with the rod 12 and in the 8o folded position the chair will appear as shown in` Fig.' 2. In the unfolded position the seat will be supported in the manner'shown in Fig..1 and the extensions 34 of each leg may preferably rest upon the rod upon which the x5 leg is pivoted.

The frictional resistance of the moving parts is substantially sufficient to retain the chair in the folded relationship, but I prefer to provide in proximity to the lower ends of Inl the legs and the uprights means for retain- -ing the chair in the folded relation. I have rights, a seat supporting rod journaled therein having an offset intermediate portion lying within the plane thereof, a seat secured tosaid oset portion of the rod and spaced inwardly from its ends to pivot therewith, a pair of tubular legs journaled upon a second rod extending between the uprights, said legs having upper end portions of reduced diameter, an extension telescoped within the reduced upper extremity of each leg and pivotally connected with the seat, forwardly of its connection with the uprights and adapted to lie alongside of the seat within the offset portion of said pivot rod and within the plane of the uprights when the chair is folded.

2. A folding chair having a pair of uprights, a seat journalled between the uprights, a pair of legs journalled between the uprights upon a pivotal support carried thereby, an extension for each leg pivoted to the seat and telescoping within the leg above its pivotal connection with the upright and ada ted to rest upon said pivotal support to llmit the unfolding of the seat.

3. A folding chair comprising, in combination, a pair of uprights, a seat supporting rod extending therebetween within the plane thereof and having laterally extending ends pivoted to the uprlghts, a seat secured to the intermediate portion of the rod with each side edge spaced from the adjacent laterally extending end of the rod, a pair of rear legs pivoted between the uprights, each rear leg coupled with the adjacent side edge of the seat to fold with the seat within the space between said side edge and theadjacent laterally extending end ofthe rod.

4. A folding chair comprising, in combination, a pair of uprights, a seat supporting rod extending therebetween within the plane thereof and having laterally extending ends pivoted to the uprights, a seat secured to the intermediate portion of the rod with each side edge spaced from the adjacent laterally extending end of the rod, a pair of rear legs pivoted between the uprights, a member pivoted to each side edge of the seat and telescopically coupled with the adjacent rear leg whereby said legs are constrained t0 swing with the seat to fold within the space between the side edges of the seat and the adjacent laterally extending ends of the rod.

GEORGE l).y SCHERMERHORN. 

